Victims Of Fiery Crash Identified

The Highway Patrol has identified two people killed in a fiery car crash last Wednesday near Smithfield.

Troopers said Alberto Aguilera, 19, of Old Fairground Road, Angier was operating a 1999 Ford Mustang around 1:00am on June 21st when it ran off Crantock Road, struck a group of trees and burst into flames. A passing motorist saw the burning car and tried to use a fire extinguisher but the fire was too hot.

Troopers said speed played a contributing factor. The speed limit along Crantock Road when the wreck occurred is 55mph. The Highway Patrol estimated Aguilera was traveling at 70 mph at the time of the early morning crash.

Both bodies were sent to the NC Medical Examiner’s Office for identification. The cause and manner of death has still not been determined, pending toxicology results. Photos by John Payne